High-level martial arts: Long spear with black flames to suppress demons.

Shen Chang'an read the document and put it away. It wouldn't be a problem in the human world, but once they entered the depths of the demon realm, he would have to ask the delegation if they had a suitable way to maintain contact with headquarters. However, even if they couldn't contact each other, he didn't think it was a big deal. He and Gu Lian didn't have much to talk about. He hadn't given Gu Lian any face from the beginning, and the two of them had basically been exchanging sarcastic remarks whenever they met these past few days.

He also informed Li Xiwan and the others in advance of his departure.

Upon hearing about the demon realm, Bai Yin immediately became interested and pestered him on the phone for a long time, her words implying that she wanted to go with him.

Shen Chang'an only asked one last question: "What realm are you in now?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone before a reluctant voice came through: "The Three Realms."

"Then focus on your cultivation first, and we'll talk about it again when your cultivation level improves."

Bai Yin tried to argue, saying that it was her hometown and returning to the demon realm was like going home, but Shen Chang'an didn't budge. He didn't know what he would encounter on this journey, so it wasn't suitable to bring someone else who needed care along.

Ji Lin didn't mention traveling with him, only asking him to tell him what the demon realm looked like when he returned. Zhang Qingqing, on the other hand, gave him a long reminder to be careful, already starting to resemble Aunt Li Yue.

Shen Chang'an found it somewhat amusing, but still agreed to each of their requests.

When it was Li Xiwan's turn, there was a long silence on the phone. After he finished explaining his general itinerary, she simply replied softly, "Be careful and come back soon."

"it is good."

After the call ended, Shen Chang'an stared at the darkened screen for a while before putting his phone back in his pocket.

He wasn't sure if he could come back in a month.

Escorting Du Yue was only part of the trip. He also needed to figure out Wang Lao's old friend, Li Ya's matter, and the clues left by Ji Siye.

The afternoon before his departure, Shen Chang'an left headquarters, intending to see An Nuan. His figure flashed between the tall buildings, finally landing outside a small courtyard.

Vines climbed the low wall of the courtyard, several ceramic pots sat beside the door, and white sheets hung on a bamboo rack inside, billowing gently in the breeze. A small gray-white bird perched on the eaves; hearing footsteps, it tilted its head to glance at him before continuing to preen its feathers.

Shen Chang'an stepped forward and knocked on the door, and a response came quickly from inside.

The courtyard gate opened, and An Nuan stood behind it. She was wearing a loose, off-white long dress, her hair was casually tied up, and her complexion was better than last time, but her face still lacked color.

"Chang'an?"

She stepped aside from the doorway: "Come in."

He stepped over the threshold, closing the courtyard gate behind him. As An Nuan walked into the house, she asked, "How is Old Wang?"

"He's much more stable now and there's nothing seriously wrong for the time being. When he wakes up depends on him."

"Moreover, now that someone has taken over the headquarters' affairs, he can rest and recuperate for a while longer without having to rush to wake up."

An Nuan nodded gently: "That's good."

The living room was furnished much the same as last time: a wooden table, rattan chairs, a bookcase against the wall, and new buds sprouting from the green plants by the window, their tender leaves almost transparent in the sunlight.

An Nuan poured him a cup of tea, pushed the cup in front of him, and then sat down opposite him.

Shen Chang'an asked, "Did the Dead Zone affect you here?"

An Nuan shook her head: "No, my little courtyard is quite special, the dead zone doesn't affect me much."

"It's rather special. What makes it special?"

He asked curiously, and looked at it again, but couldn't see anything special about it. It just looked like an ordinary little courtyard.

An Nuan smiled and said, "You'll find out later."

Seeing that she had no intention of speaking, Shen Chang'an did not ask any further questions.

He picked up his teacup, unsure how to continue the conversation. He remained silent for a moment, about to bring up his plans to go to the demon realm, when An Nuan spoke first.

"Are you preparing to go to the demon realm?"

Shen Chang'an stopped moving: "You already knew?"

"Just a guess."

An Nuan said, "With the phoenix appearing in the world, it's impossible for the demon realm to have no reaction at all. Du Yue trusts you so much, if she's willing to go, she'll most likely have you accompany her."

Shen Chang'an looked at her for a moment, but couldn't discern anything from her face, so he lowered his head and drank his tea.

The tea was slightly bitter, but after swallowing it, a hint of sweetness slowly rose on the back of the tongue.

"Pretty much. It was decided a few days ago. We're leaving tomorrow, and Murong Yan is coming too..."

An Nuan listened quietly without interrupting.

"Old Wang asked me to tell you that we'll be going to the Demon Capital of South China first, and then to the Demon Realm. Do you have any suggestions for this trip?"

The living room fell silent, while the rustling sound of vines rubbing against each other came from outside the courtyard.

An Nuan looked down at the tea, seemingly thinking seriously for a moment before looking up and saying, "Be careful."

Shen Chang'an waited for her to continue.

An Nuan had already picked up her teacup and slowly took a sip. After a while, the two met eyes, but neither of them spoke.

He was prepared to hear even a veiled warning, but after waiting and waiting, all he got were these four words.

"That's it?"

"That's all."

"Wasn't there some kind of prophetic hint or something?"

He blinked. "It's good for me to be prepared in advance."

An Nuan smiled and shook her head: "I'm not a prophet. There are many things that can't be predicted. Besides, this time it involves not only you, but also Du Yue and the demon realm. It's hard for me to say for sure."

"So, just be careful on the road. I'll take care of your funeral arrangements... no, I mean, I'll take care of your family. Don't worry."

He paused, looking at An Nuan: "Wait, what do you mean by 'take care of your family'? I'm not dead yet??? How did it get to the point of taking care of my family?"

"Don't overthink it, it was just a casual remark, don't take it to heart. I see that young people online like to joke around, so I was just joking, don't take it seriously."

Shen Chang'an felt somewhat helpless. Then, remembering Old Wang's instructions, he didn't press the matter further. An Nuan's expression was still not good. He couldn't force her to say something just because he had made the trip.

He sat for a while longer, chatted about the recent situation in Shanghai, and when An Nuan gave him no further reminders, he got up to say goodbye.

"Then you should get some rest. I'll head back now."

An Nuan escorted him to the courtyard gate, opened the door for him, and whispered, "Be careful on the road."

Shen Chang'an paused and turned to look at her.

An Nuan had a faint smile on her face, and her expression was no different from before.

He stared at it for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "Sister An Nuan~~ really no hints? Even just a word or two would be helpful..."

"That's all. Just remember to be careful. Goodbye, and I hope you'll be safe and sound when I see you again..."

An Nuan waved to him from the station entrance, like a neighborly older sister seeing her younger brother off. She looked at the boy in front of her, a trace of pity flashing in her eyes, but she quickly hid it.